Population Pyramids of the World from 1950 to 2100

China Population Pyramid 1956

China
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1956
Population: 616,558,582

Year

-5 -1   1956  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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Summary

China in 1956

As of 1956, China counted 616,558,582 inhabitants. The median age was 21.5 years, and for every 100 people of working age (15–64) there were 68.4 children under 15 and 7.6 people aged 65 or over.

This is an expansive pyramid — each cohort of children is larger than the one above it, the signature of high birth rates and rapid growth.

Ranks #1 of 201 by population Ranks #74 of 201 by median age

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Key indicators for China
Population
616,558,582
Median age
21.5
0-14 %
38.9%
65+ %
4.3%
Child dependency
68.4
Old-age dependency
7.6
Region
ASIA
Pyramid shape
Expansive
Population 2050
1,260,289,094
Population 2100
633,368,113
What is driving the change
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
12345678
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 1.0

The fertility rate of China was 1.00 births per woman in 2023, under the 2.1 needed to replace each generation.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
2030405060708090
19602023 · 78.0

A child born there in 2023 could expect to live 78.0 years on average (80.9 years for girls, 75.2 for boys).

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
285582110
19502100
Migration to and from China
Where immigrants come from (2024)

1,565,013 immigrants live in China, 0.1% of the population.

China, Hong Kong SAR421,605
Myanmar367,052
Taiwan170,422
Viet Nam88,254
Republic of Korea65,073
Where emigrants live (2024)

11,696,846 people born in China live in other countries.

China, Hong Kong SAR2,490,414
United States of America2,488,775
Japan809,893
Canada771,973
Republic of Korea756,684
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

How China compares with its neighbours
Country Population Median age Relative size
China 616,558,583 21.5
Japan 93,342,008 24.1
Republic of Korea 22,874,434 19.1
Dem. People's Republic of Korea 10,600,379 18.7
Taiwan 9,465,710 17.9
Frequently asked questions about China's population
How many people lived in China in 1956?
China had a population of 616,558,582 in 1956.
What is the median age in China?
The median age in China is 21.5 years — half the population is younger, half older.
What share of China's population is over 65 or under 15?
In China, 38.9% of people are under 15 and 4.3% are 65 or older.
What type of population pyramid does China have?
China's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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